Rockstar Games is still taking its time polishing GTA VI into perfection. However, one hobbyist modder isn’t waiting around. A creator known as FV Mods has decided to build their own “Grand Theft Multiverse” directly inside Grand Theft Auto V.
FV Mods has released a trilogy of massive map add-ons. Effectively, they have turned “San Andreas” into a disjointed global tourist atlas. You don’t need a new game when you can glue whole new countries onto “Los Santos”.
FV Mods recently released three distinct expansions. First, there is Oldburries. This is a fictional slice of rural Canada. It features farmland, pine woods, and a quiet town. The location feels like somewhere you would end up after following bad sat-nav directions.
Next came Largo Hillio. This map is a mix of a national park and a racing circuit. The creator stitched this island onto the map via a massive suspension bridge.
Finally, the modder added the European Freeway Project. This is a massive eight-lane stretch of pan-continental motorway.
The best part of this project is the connectivity. Players can load all three maps simultaneously. Consequently, GTA V becomes a DIY flight simulator. You can fly a stolen plane from “Los Santos” and land in a confused Canadian town.
FV Mods explained their motivation on their “Nexus Mods” page. The modder stated:
I just wanted to expand the world in ways Rockstar never will.
GTA V is 10 years old… but that doesn’t mean the map has to be.
The project is incredibly earnest. However, the reception is mixed. Some gamers are pointing out the “PS2-looking” terrain. Critics noted that while the new spaces are cool to explore, they are somewhat “low-poly” and empty. Arguably, players might drive around for a few minutes and never return.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the project’s longevity. GTA is often considered a difficult platform for modders. Rockstar and Take-Two have a history of issuing DMCA takedowns. We live in a world where Rockstar issues Cease & Desist orders. Despite the risks and the rough edges, FV Mods continues to quietly expand the boundaries of “San Andreas”.